Ibanez guitars are surely Japan’s most famous and recognized guitar brand. The Ibanez brand was first started in 1929 by a company called, Hoshino Gakki. It wasn’t really until the late 1950s that Ibanez electric guitars entered the modern era of guitar catalogues. Joe Satriani and Steve Vai are by far the 2 most famous guitar players to endorse and exclusively play Ibanez guitars. Vai uses his custom Ibanez JEM, which is where the Ibanez RG originated from, while Satriani plays on the custom JS series.
You can expect varying degrees of quality from an Ibanez electric guitar. As with most major guitar companies, Ibanez manufactures its guitars in different countries of varying skill and quality of parts and components. A Chinese or Indonesian made Ibanez will most certainly pale in comparison to a Korean or Japanese made one. Typically the finish, detailing and guitar hardware in the before-mentioned countries are the real differences.
I own an SV-720 Ibanez electric guitar. Made in Korea so the quality is pretty damn good. It came original with who-knows-what kind of pickups. The stock pickups were really the only sub-par hardware on the guitar. The body and neck are solid mahogany with a ¼” maple cap. I replaced them with Dimarzios. I have a darker bluesy tone in the neck position from the PAF pro and a screaming solo tone in the bridge from the Evolution. This setup is great for blasting out power chords. I have a darker sounding amp that isn’t ideal for this type of guitar but I have various guitar pedals to compensate for this. Another of my favorite Ibanez S series guitars is the Ibanez s470.
Ibanez bass guitars are truly some of my all-time favorites and have some very notable models. The Ibanez Black Eagle bass is a rare find and a real sweet piece of construction. Made only in 1975 and 1976, to find an Ibanez bass guitar like this one would be a jackpot. Another classic bass is the Roadbass RD-707. Mostly constructed of a basswood body, maple neck and rosewood fretboard. Guitar instruments need to have a balance of good quality, sound and looks.
The V series of Ibanez acoustic guitars is great for beginners. Fitted with mahogany back and sides, a spruce top and a rosewood bridge and fretboard. The single cutaway makes it easier for beginners to reach the higher frets. A great priced, entry-level model of Ibanez acoustic guitar.
The next model I will be adding to my collection of Ibanez guitars will be the Artist Prestige. Complete with maple set-in neck, cherry sunburst and classic Gibraltar bridge. Oh, and it’s made in Japan; killer quality. I can’t wait.